Page 9 - Australian Wood Review Dec 2021

FEATURE
WORLD – WINNER 1
Evan Berding, Wellborn chair
Evan Berding’s chair speaks eloquently
to the history of chairs, from early bodger techniques to Scandinavian style. Viewing this chair is like wandering through the history of chairs in the Decorative Arts wing of the Louvre in Paris. Every line and the negative spaces between them are part of a beautiful and satisfying composition.
− Michael Fortune
It is rare to see a contemporary chair today that instantly stands out as a classic. There are so many links back to earlier chair makers in this piece, from Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the English Arts and Crafts, to Hans Wegner andtheDanishmodernists. But,thoughit references many traditions, it has a special quality and presence of its own, a beautifully composed and elegant masterpiece.
− David Haig
WORLD – RUNNER-UP
Seth Rolland, Wave Desk
2
Seth Rolland’s desk is a wonderful blend
of the wind sculptured terrain found
in the American Southwest with an acknowledgement to the late Wendell Castle. While massive it expresses an energetic fluidity that presents each dynamic element within the piece. Every hard edge and smooth surface expresses the control and skill required to complete the piece. Form and Function are at peace in this very successful sculptural form.
− Michael Fortune
The dramatic wind and water sculpted rock 4 formations of the American Southwest are
instantly recognisable in this piece. It pulls
off a rare feat in reproducing this effect
without overplaying it, and then successfully incorporates all the features of a classic desk without interrupting the form at all. The little sculpted up-stand is a brilliantly executed and characterful detail.
− David Haig
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1. Evan Berding, USA, Wellborn chair, European beech, black-over-red milk paint, round and half-round reed. ‘I wanted to create the appearance of a woven seat suspended in the architecture of the frame. And, wanting to keep that frame airy, I designed the chair to provide strength not through bulky parts, but a structural lattice, which, in turn, opened up the opportunity for a more visually engaging composition.’ Photo: Annemie Tonken
2. Seth Rolland, USA, Wave Desk. Inspired
by water, wind and sandstone canyons, the desk is sculpted from over a hundred pieces of solid, sustainably harvested cherry wood. The raised platform supports a monitor (with provision for wires) or a vase of flowers.
There are two drawers for supplies and a compartment to hide your keyboard or laptop.’ Photo: Myron Gauger
3. Daniel Rickey, USA, Entertainment Unit, walnut, beech. Designed for practicality with an asymmetrical, yet balanced design. Photo: Greg Desiatov
4. Jeff Miller, USA, Toccata Dining Chair. ‘The result of a quick sketch in wood of a chair leg made up of thin slats. I had no idea how to turn this idea into a chair at the time, but 20 years later, it came to me. The trigger was a comb-back Windsor chair.’ Photo: Jeff Miller
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